The State Journal – For nearly a decade, state officials and industry leaders have been touting the development of Marcellus Shale gas as an economic game-changer for the state of West Virginia. While the natural gas industry has undoubtedly provided isolated growth, it hasn’t quite “changed the game” like it was expected to. Read
Talk of shale gas-related growth has been a common topic among West Virginia’s economic leaders for years. And with Shell announcing its final investment decision June 7 to build a major petrochemicals complex just across the border in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, the chatter has grown even louder.
Shell anticipates the complex, which would feed off the ethane found in natural gas extracted from the Marcellus Shale region, could employ up to 600 people once it’s completed, in addition to bringing up to 6,000 temporary construction jobs to the region while it’s being built.
